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Johannesburg - Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa's request for the postponement of a commission of inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha was "perplexing," Western Cape Premier Helen Zille said on Tuesday.

"His comments are perplexing, given that all the written complaints upon which the decision to appoint a commission was founded, were sent to his office... and indeed his office confirmed receipt of these documents in writing," she said in a statement.

"It is my honest opinion that the report which will be produced by the commission in due course can but only assist the SA Police Service in meeting any challenges that they face in that area and, as such, any impact it will have will be positive."

In a letter released on Monday, Mthethwa asked for a meeting with Zille and said the inquiry into alleged police inefficiency in the township was "premature.

"I therefore request that you postpone the commencement of the work of the appointed commission of inquiry so that we may discuss the matter to enable us to find possible alternative resolutions, if any, to the challenges that you believe exist in Khayelitsha."

Citing a break-down of trust between Khayelitsha residents and the police, Zille appointed a commission of inquiry, headed by Judge Katherine O'Regan and advocate Vusi Pikoli, last week.

Mthethwa said he had been briefed on the situation in Khayelitsha by national police commissioner Riah Phiyega and wanted to talk to Zille about initiatives already in place to improve it.

Zille said that complaints by residents about the breakdown of relations with police "merited investigation.

"Despite repeated requests since December 2011, I have received no comment on the facts or merits of the complaints from the minister or national and provincial police commissioners at all to date," she said.

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